Drop rules

[jusme]

I have a pretty clear understanding of the processes of drops both free and penalty ones. My question may be more to do with the spirit of the game than the rules as I suspect the question is just taking advantage of the rules but remaining within them.

I watched a player correctly dropping with 2 club lengths from an unplayable (taking the penalty of course) but choosing a place within that arc of 2 club lengths (no closer to the hole) where he knew the ball would roll more than 2 club lengths away (slope chosen) from the dropped ball. He of course dropped correctly twice and then got to place his ball.

Given the terrain he could have chosen to correctly drop at a different part of that 2 club arc where his ball would most likely have nestled down in the rough. It was still rough where he got to place but by placing it allowed him a much better lie.

I'm certain this is perfectly within the rules and actually very clever. He dropped (legally) in such a manner where he knew he was going to be able to place it after his 2 attempts. Just seeking to clarify this deliberate action is OK.

 

[ManinBlack]

He's not called Jordan Spieth is he?

Seriously, this is within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law.

 

[Canfordhacker]

I'm certain this is perfectly within the rules

I think you answer your own question here. I wouldn't think twice about doing this - why wouldn't you take advantage?

 

[KenL]

You already have a penalty stroke so why not take an intelligent drop?

 

[duncan mackie]

You already have a penalty stroke so why not take an intelligent drop?

:thup:

 

[backwoodsman]

Yep.

Legal, and in my mind is also within the spirit of the game. It works both ways. Have you never tried it and had the ball roll 1.95 clublengths into a right crappy lie?

 

[jim8flog]

I am also one of do the best you can from a poor situation type of player.

It is also the view of the R&A (in equity) "if, in taking relief in accordance with the procedure laid down in Rule 25-1b, his line of play is improved, this is his good fortune."

 

[jim8flog]

Remember this will all change in 2019. The ball must remain in the relief area from 1/1/2019

 

[atticusfinch]

I have always wondered what people meant by the spirit of the game. What more can a player do but adhere to the rules? Do it with a smile? Sing God Save the Queen? Playing by the rules (including taking advantage of "loopholes") IS the spirit of the game/rules. Or is the spirit NOT to do those things and take the worst punishment possible? :sbox:

 

[R G Roden]

I'm old school, if it is against the spirit of the rules it's cheating and far too many pro's get away with it. Give 'em an inch,,,,,,,,

 

[Imurg]

Define the "Spirit of the Rules".....
The saying goes..
Play the ball as it lies
If you can't play it as it lies you must do what's fair
To do what's fair you need to know the rules.

If it's within the rules it must be within the so-called Spirit ....

 

[rulefan]

[h=2]The Spirit of the Game[/h]Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

 

[chrisd]

I share the general consensus, if what you do is within the rules then its also within the spirit of the game. The rules don't penalise an offence twice so I can't see why, having taken the penalty, you shouldn't maximise the chance of a good next outcome - so long as it's done within the rules!

 

[KenL]

Exactly!

Why would you incur a penalty from an unplayable lie just to drop your ball into another terrible (unplayable) lie when you don't have to.

 

[atticusfinch]

I used to play with a guy whose self imposed relief rule was you had to drop in the same kind of lie as the original. You could not take advantage if the rule allowed dropping in a more favorable lie. Took years to convince him it was ok. He called himself the "suffering servant of yahweh."

 

[Crow]

I used to play with a guy whose self imposed relief rule was you had to drop in the same kind of lie as the original. You could not take advantage if the rule allowed dropping in a more favorable lie. Took years to convince him it was ok. He called himself the "suffering servant of yahweh."

I like this attitude! My ball is unplayable, where's the nearest hedge I can throw it in?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I don't see the problem, the rules are there in black and white and are not there to punish you unnecessarily. Why would you deliberately take a bad drop if the rules permitted a better one? Perfectly legal and perfectly fine in my book.

 

[R G Roden]

Throw it in the hedge then stand on it. Take your next shot with both eyes closed.

 

[ParParTripleBogey]

As others have said, you've taken the penalty. Beyond that, as long as you stay within the rules, everything else is personal opinion. I think the problem is that people see the rules as being solely penal - there to penalise you when you do something wrong when in fact, they outline the process by which you put your ball back in play. The quality of the original lie and the subsequent lie after dropping aren't related - you take the penalty and then seek to find the best drop possible. Not different to dropping within two club lengths on a lush piece of grass.

Pretty sure Tommy Fleetwood took advantage in this way recently by deliberately dropping twice in a way that he knew would allow him to place it on a fluffy lie.